Free school supply programs in Bexar County and San Antonio.
Free school supplies are given away each and every year by charities, school districts, and other organizations across Bexar County. While most of the organizations are located in the city of San Antonio, there is also assistance across the entire region. Find details on where to go and how to apply for free Chromebooks, backpacks, uniforms and other school supply assistance programs in the county.
The list below are agencies that focus on back to school programs, but there are other options too. For example, some charities may just give free clothes to students or hygiene supplies. As an example, find free clothing closets in Bexar County.
Not only may school items be provided to students from Kindergarten to high school (such as book bags, shoes, pens, notebooks, etc.) but many of the charities in the San Antonio area offer other social services too. They may help parents with employment, operate computer labs, give kids free snacks for after school, ESL classes and even give emergency financial aid or a free computer to a student. Each of the programs in the Bexar County vary in what they do or don’t do.
Each application for help during the school year is assessed on a case by case basis. School supplies are usually given out during the summer and early fall months in the Bexar County area. Depending on donation levels, and the students age, what may be given out as a form of free school supplies includes notebooks, pencils, crayons, bags, scissors, highlighters, books, and more.
San Antonio area students may also be given free clothes for the school year. These supplies may be uniforms, shoes, belts, dresses, jeans, slacks, hats, book bags, and more. Charities give both free material school supplies as well as clothes to students from lower income households.
Catholic Charities Church and the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Location is 202 W French Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
Telephone number is (210) 222-1294
Churches across Bexar County ban together. Not only can residents shop at a thrift store for items. Catholic Charities in Bexar County has many other social services (in addition to free school supplies). There are ESL for students, uniforms for kids or parents, financial help and more. They may also have refurbished computers or laptops.
Guadalupe Community Center
1801 W César E Chávez Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78207
Main phone number is (210) 226-6178
A leading social service agency for Bexar County. Emergency clothes, back to school supply event, rent, free food, and other support is given to students and parents. Immigrants and Spanish speakers can also get free items for high, middle, or elementary school.
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM)
Address is 110 McCullough Ave
San Antonio, TX 78215
Call 210-223-6648
They have many free “seasonal” assistance programs, including for the back to school supply season as well as holiday support. There may be free backpacks, notebooks, crayons, highlighters, tablets, uniforms and more. They help students from all grades, regardless of their religion. Immigrants (documented or not) can also get free school supplies from CAM.
CAM – Christian Assistance Ministry
Location is 110 McCullough
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 223-4099
Clothes, ID and free birth certificates, books, ESL classes, and other aid is offered.
Chrysalis Ministries
Main address is 503 San Pedro
San Antonio, Texas 78212
(210) 299-4540
They only help parent, their kids, or students (juveniles) with legal issues. Emergency school supplies, free clothes or uniforms, job placement, support groups, and more is offered.
Communities in schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) / stay in school program
1616 E. Commerce, Bldg. 1
San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-520-8440
The Stay in School Program helps students and their parent(s), whether single moms or dads or married couples. They focus on education. Free backpacks, school supply items, counseling, referrals to college, shoes, and other support is given out.
Harlandale Independent School Distrcit (HISD)
Main address is 102 Genevieve St.
San Antonio, Texas 78214
Intake number - 210-989-4300
Salvation Army of Bexar County and San Antonio
Several locations are available. Anyone in need, regardless of race, language, ethnicity, can get help. Emergency financial aid, school supplies or Christmas toys for kids, free uniforms, clothes, book bags and backs and more are offered. There may be notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, protractors and many other items for students from pre-K to college age. More on Salvation Army assistance programs in Bexar County.
Grace Pavilion Community Outreach (GPCO)
9310 Jim Seal Dr, Takas Park
San Antonio, Texas 78239
They have a once per year "bash". Call 210-880-5836
Families with children, including single moms or dads in Bexar County can be given free school supplies. There is also food, health checks or physicals for students, hygiene supplies and more. Whether clothes, "regular" supplies or health checks such as free teeth cleaning for students, help is offered.
Helping Hands Ministry of Belton Inc
Address is 2210 Holland Rd
Belton, Texas 76513
They only help students (as funding allows) for the Belton, Holland and Academt ISD. Dial 254-939-7355
Low income, qualified families may be given gift cards of a few dollars (with a maximum per household) to get students shoes, backpacks, and other basic materials such as pens, highlighters, protractors, paper, backpacks and more.
True Vine Baptist Church
Location is 435 S Ellison Dr
San Antonio, TX 78245
Phone: (210) 509-4024
Northside independent school district (NISD)
Address: 607 Richland Hills Dr
San Antonio, TX 78245
Telephone - 210-397-8500
Dozens of elementary schools are assisted.
San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD)
514 W. Quincy St.
San Antonio, Texas 78212
Main number - 210-554-2200
Free school supplies may be for students from poverty households and low income families. It is based on donations. Pens, pencils, supplies for the students desk and more is available.
TANF cash aid - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
The TANF program in Texas will provide a small dollar voucher to help pay for school supplies. The funds are restricted for that expense. Only those very low income families, single parents, Bexar County families living in poverty may use this school supply program from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Call a social worker or county office for applications.
Bexar County Clinics often can assist. They may pass out or give out free school supplies. But they also focus on free immunizations for students (whether insured or not), dental care or cleanings, general health screenings and more. In addition, many San Antonio area and countywide libraries help.
They provide snacks, food, coupons, games, books, and other back to school supplies. One example is Carver Branch Library, 3350 E Commerce St, 78220. For more details or referrals dial 211. Free school and educational supplies are limited and passed out to those that qualify on first come, first served basis.
YMCA in Bexar County
Free backpacks as well as student health check-ups are offered. Find more details on YMCA program.
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